Shirt collar form

ABSTRACT

A collar forming device which is configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to a collar in an article of clothing comprising: flexible material which is worn at least inside and around the collar of an article of clothing.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional application No. 61/344,003, filed May 5, 2010, entitled Shirt Collar Form.

This substitute application contains no new matter and is provided as a correction to the application Ser. No. 13/068,242 originally filed on May 5, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Collared shirts inherently do not have the necessary rigidity around the collar to keep shape and maintain structure while buttons near the collar are undone, typically leading to the shirt collar widening, spreading and sitting in an undesirable location. This results with a collar that becomes spread too wide in an undesirable fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, a collar forming device comprises: a body, at least one arm configured to be capable of forming the shape of a collar. The collar forming device is designed to be used while the user is wearing an article of clothing that has a collar. This invention was created to add structure, control and form the collar on various types of articles of clothing for both male and female users. For one embodiment of this invention, the device is placed in the same area where a neck tie would sit within the folded over collar and neck area of an article of clothing. The inserted device adds the necessary structure to the collar, and provides the user with adjustability so a shirt or article of clothing can maintain the desired shape or form of the collar and collar opening while being worn.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a collar forming device comprises: at least one collar support, and an article of clothing that is configured with at least a pocket and loop at least under the collar and around and inside to at least adhere and attach the collar support to the article of clothing. With the collar support attached to a collared article of clothing, the collar forming device is capable of at least shaping and adding structure to the collar while being worn so the user can adjust or maintain the desired shape or form of the collar and collar opening while being worn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the collar forming device 1 fully assembled and shaped to the general shape of a collar according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the body 2 before assembly illustrating various components of the body 2 according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the body 2 fully assembled according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an application of the invention but is not intended to be limited to this particular application. FIG. 4 is a front view with cut out views of a typical collared shirt 8, and illustrates the collar forming device 1 fully assembled which is comprised of the body 2 and two arms 3 and is placed in the general region where the device would be placed within the shirt collar according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a head on view of the fully assembled collar forming device 1 in a flat configuration before being shaped and worn according to a preferred embodiment. A breakaway view illustrates the arms 3 bypassing each other in the pocket 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an application of the invention but is not intended to be limited to this particular application. FIG. 6 is a front view with cut out views of a typical collared shirt 8, and illustrates the collar support 18 held in place by the collar support pockets 16 and collar support loop 17 and is placed in the general region where the device would be placed within the shirt collar according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the collar forming device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The collar forming device 1 comprises a body 2 and at least one arm 3 which adds structure and adjustability to the collar forming device which in turn gives an article of clothing structure and form while being worn. The arms 3, can be pulled out or pushed in to adjust to fit various types and sizes of articles of clothing.

The collar forming device will be described more with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and may be used in various applications to give shape and structure to a variety of clothing and costumes such as but not limited to dress shirts, polo shirts, blouses and jackets.

The collar forming device body 2 comprises a material that may be made of a flexible material such as fabrics, interfacing, organic materials, paper materials, composites, cardboards, plastics and metals or any combination thereof. More preferably, fabric is used in this embodiment. The collar forming device body 2 may take any shape, such as but not limited to a rectangular shape, an angled shape, a multi-angled shape, curved shape, a circular shape, hemispherical shape, or any combination of the previously mentioned. The design may comprise a plurality of dimensions in thickness, length and width. Dimensions could be of any size, preferably between 1 inch to 20 inches in length, 0.025 inches to 3 inches in width and 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches in thickness. More preferably between 3 inches and 18 inches in length, 0.5 inches to 2 inches in width and 0.0625 inches to 0.25 inch in thickness, depending on application.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in this particular embodiment (the design is not to be limited in any way by this particular example), the body 2 is comprised of a flexible material 5 which can be of any color, thickness, style, material type as desired. An additional support material such as but not limited to interfacing 13 can be added or bonded to the flexible material 5 to add more stiffness and structure as desired. The flexible material 5 in this example is then folded in half along the length of the flexible material 5 as shown by the fold line 14. Manufacturing and application will dictate additional folds around the perimeter for aesthetics and durability.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the body 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, perimeter stitches 7 are sewn around the edges of the body 2 and the pocket 4 is created from the fold in the flexible material 5 and pocket stitching 6 sewn into the flexible material 5, and the placement of the pocket stitch 6 sewn is determined by the dimensions of the material used for the arms 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the collar forming device 1 with a cutaway view to show the arms 3 bypassing each other within the pocket 4 at the arms bypass area 15. The arms 3 are inserted into on each side of the pocket 4 and slide in and out of the pocket 4 for adjustability. It is preferred that the pocket stitches 6 sewn for the pocket 4 are placed in configuration to where the arms 3 fit securely inside the pocket 4 allowing enough room for the arms 3 to slide past one another with a moderate amount of friction which aids in securing the arms 3 in place.

The arms 3, may be comprised and constructed from various rigid and malleable materials including but not limited to metals, wire, rubber, plastics, fabrics, composites, memory materials and organic materials. The function of the arms 3 is to give structure to the collar forming device which results in added structure and forming capabilities to a collar in an article of clothing. The design may comprise a plurality of dimensions in thickness, length and width. Dimensions for the arms 3, could be of any size, preferably between 1 inch to 30 inches in length, 0.01 inch to 5 inches in thickness, and 0.01 inch to 5 inches in width. More preferably between 3 inches and 20 inches in length, 0.01 inch to 0.25 inches in thickness and 0.01 inch to 0.25 inches in width, depending on application.

In this particular embodiment (the design is not to be limited in any way by this particular example), the arms 3 are comprised of two individual pieces of at least malleable and rigid material which when inserted into the body pocket 4 from opposite sides of the body 2 are held in place from the friction of the two arms 3 bypassing and touching each other. Additionally the pocket 4 is configured so that when the arms 3 are inserted into it, additional friction created to prevent the arms 3 from unnecessary movement.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrates an example of an application of the invention but is not limited to this particular application. FIG. 4 is a front view with cut out views of a typical collared shirt 8, and illustrates the collar forming device 1 fully assembled which is comprised of the body 2 and two arms 3 and is placed in the general region where the device would be placed within the shirt collar 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this view, the shirt collar flap 9 is folded up to illustrate the general location of where the fully assembled collar forming device 1 is placed along the shirt neck 12. The cut out view on the left of the illustration demonstrates the typical location of the collar forming device 1 in between the shirt neck 12, the shirt collar 10 and the shirt collar flap 11 in the down position. The cut out view toward the center of the illustration, demonstrates where the collar forming device 1 wraps around the back of the shirt neck 12 and under the shirt collar 10 similar to where the typical neck tie would be worn. The collar forming device 1 is not intended to be seen while the collared shirt 8 is being worn. The arms 3 are configured for maximum control of the collar 10 by being adjusted out toward the front of the collar 10. Additionally the collar opening 19 can be controlled by shaping the arms 3 to the desired contour.

One example of how the collar forming device 1 can be installed is by completely folding up the shirt collar 10 and the collar flaps 9 & 11 and placing the collar forming device 1 (held parallel to the ground), along the shirt neck 12 centering it to the rear of the shirt collar 10 wrapping it around the shirt neck 12 and bending the collar forming device 1 to the contour of the neck of the individual wearing the article of clothing or the contour of the neckline of the article of clothing. The collar flaps 9 & 11 are then folded down over the collar forming device 1. The arms 3 would then be pulled or pushed into the body 2 and further adjusted by bending the arms 3 to the desired location to form and control the shirt collar 10 and the collar opening 19 to the users liking. The collar forming device 1 can be installed with the article of clothing on or off an individual and using various methods of installation. The friction from the shirt neck 12, the shirt collar 10 and the shirt collar flaps 9 & 11 holds the collar forming device 1 securely in place. The above referenced example of installation is just one of many possible methods to install the collar forming device 1 into an article of clothing.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which is another embodiment of the present invention but is not limited to this particular application nor intended to limit the scope of the application. In this particular embodiment, a collar forming device comprises: at least one collar support 18, and a collared shirt 8 (or any article of clothing that has a collar) that is configured with at least a collar support pocket 16 and collar support loop 17 at least under the collar 10 and around and inside to at least adhere and attach the collar support 18 to the collared shirt 8. With the collar forming device attached to a collared article of clothing, the collar forming device is capable of at least shaping and adding structure to the collar while being worn and controlling the collar opening 19.

The collar support 18, may be comprised and constructed from various rigid and malleable materials including but not limited to metals, wire, rubber, plastics, fabrics, composites, memory materials and organic materials. The function of the collar support 18 is to give structure to the collar 10 of an article of clothing and aid in controlling the collar opening 19. The design may comprise a plurality of dimensions in thickness, length and width. Dimensions for the collar support 18, could be of any size, preferably between 1 inch to 30 inches in length, 0.01 inch to 5 inches in thickness, and 0.01 inch to 5 inches in width. More preferably between 3 inches and 20 inches in length, 0.01 inch to 0.25 inches in thickness and 0.01 inch to 0.25 inches in width, depending on application.

The collar support pocket 16 and the collar support loop 17 may be comprised and constructed from various flexible, rigid and malleable materials including but not limited to metals, wire, rubber, plastics, fabrics, composites, memory materials and organic materials. The function of the collar support pocket 16 and the collar support loop 17 is to hold the collar support 18 in place so that the shirt collar 10 can be shaped. The collar support pocket 16 and the collar support loop 17 can be adhered anywhere on the shirt neck 12 by various methods such as but not limited to: stitching, adhesive, stapling, magnetic forces, or manufactured in. The design may comprise a plurality of dimensions in thickness, length and width. Dimensions for the collar support pockets 16 and collar support loop 17, can be of any size, preferably between 0.125 inch to 20 inches in length, 0.01 inch to 1 inches in thickness, and 0.01 inch to 1 inches in width. More preferably between 0.25 inches and 20 inches in length, 0.125 inch to 0.25 inches in thickness and 0.125 inch to 0.25 inches in width, depending on application. 

1. A collar forming device which is configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to a collar in an article of clothing comprising: a body constructed of flexible material which is worn at least inside and around the collar of an article of clothing.
 2. The collar forming device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one arm which is at least malleable and rigid.
 3. The body as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pocket within the body material to house at least one arm.
 4. The pocket as claimed in claim 3, wherein is configured to allow the arm(s) to bypass each other and create friction between the arms and the pocket in a manner to hold the arms in place and limit unwanted movement.
 5. A clothing system, comprising at least: a article of clothing; a collar; a collar forming device as claimed in claim 4 which is configured to at least maintain shape and supplement structure to the collar.
 6. A method of wearing a clothing system comprising: a clothing system as claimed in claim 5; Providing the collar forming device as claimed in claim 4; Using the collar forming device at least in and around the collar in the clothing system to at least maintain a desired shape and add structure to the collar.
 7. A collar forming device which is configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to a collar in an article of clothing comprising: a collar support which is configured to be at least adhered and attached to the collar to maintain shape and supplement support to the collar.
 8. The collar support as claimed in claim 7, wherein said collar support comprises at least one collar support section which is at least malleable and fixed.
 9. The article of clothing as claimed in claim 7, wherein is configured to hold the collar support in place with at least one of a collar support pocket and collar support loop.
 10. A clothing system, comprising at least: a article of clothing configured to incorporate the collar forming device as claimed in claim 9; a collar; a collar forming device which is configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to the collar as claimed in claim
 8. 11. A method of wearing a clothing system comprising: a clothing system as claimed in claim 10; a collar forming device as claimed in claim 8; Using the collar forming device at least in and around the collar in the clothing system to at least maintain a desired shape and add structure to the collar.
 12. A collar forming device which is configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to a collar in an article of clothing comprising: a body which is worn at least inside and around the collar to maintain a shape; at least one arm; and a pocket within the body configured to secure the arm(s) in place with friction created between the arm and pocket.
 13. A clothing system, comprising at least: a article of clothing; a collar; a collar forming device as claimed in claim 12 configured to at least maintain shape and add structure to the collar.
 14. A method of wearing a clothing system comprising: a clothing system as claimed in claim 13 a collar forming device as claimed in claim 12; Using the device at least in and around the collar in the clothing system to at least maintain a desired shape and add structure to the collar. 